Chapter 5
Roman Torchwick booked it back into the gas station.
"Yang!" Jaune shouted as the brawler left cover.
Her feet crashed against the ground while a swearing Jaune Arc chased after her.
The blast from her shotgun took the door off. The huntress charged through the door, and took aim at the cowering criminal.
Roman Torchwick hadn't changed much. He'd swapped out his hat for brown of the same style, and his jacket for tan. Far more inconspicuous colors. Better to blend in with the desert surroundings.
"Torchwick," Yang snarled.
"That's my name," he quipped, no doubt by habit.
The shotgun poked closer to his face.
"Don't shoot!" he pleaded. He dropped the stick in his hand. It wasn't even the cane Yang associated with, just a wizened branch. "Aren't we on the same side?"
"Yang!" Jaune rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm going to kill him," she snapped. "Same side my ass."
Jaune pushed the gun down, and turned to Torchwick. "Explain why we should let you live."
"I'm a valuable prisoner." Roman Torchwick flashed a grin. "I was responsible for some of the…shenanigans at the Vytal Festival. You'll need me alive."
Yang grit her teeth, hands shaking on the firearm. Glass broke behind the blond duo.
Jaune's sword pointed at Neo's throat, and the small woman smiled.
"Neo, wait!" Torchwick commanded. The lithe woman stopped at the criminal's behest, umbrella poised to attack.
The orange haired man stood, and brushed off his coat. "In fact, I'll come without a fight. Neo and I will turn ourselves in to help in whatever way we can."
"That's awfully convenient," scoffed Jaune.
Roman gestured for Neo to come to his side. Then he smiled a smile that sent shivers up Yang's arms. "Yes…yes it is. Odd, no?"
The quartet spent the night in the gas station. Both pairs eyed the other warily.
Jaune took his seat next to Yang. He didn't shift his gaze from Torchwick sleeping, hat over his eyes. Neo had curled into his side, no doubt for warmth. Unlike her compatriot, the minute woman had kept her attire that Jaune and Yang were familiar with.
The brawler fiddled with the radio, attempting to distract herself from the maddening headache that plagued her.
"Everything okay?" Jaune whispered.
"No," she said.
"Yes," Yang said.
Jaune didn't have an answer. Yang sighed, "Ever since seeing Torchwick and Neo again, I've just had a headache. It'll pass."
"If you say so," Jaune replied. He seemed content with her answer.
Yang set the radio down in favor of leaning on Jaune's shoulder. The blond stiffened, then relaxed. He awkwardly rested his arm on her shoulder.
Yang sighed, it was enough. The headache began to recede.
"I'm not afraid of you," Yang whispered.
"Oh yeah? Then why didn't you say anything?" she said, this time further away.
Yang's mouth remained shut. She continued, "You wanted it as much as I did. You were afraid of me!"
"No…I could never…" Yang whimpered. She fell to her knees.
"Shhhh…I'll take care of you," she breathed, getting closer. "We'll be together forever."
"No!" screamed Yang, leaping to her feet.
Snarling hands grabbed her, pulling her close. The same words that haunted every thought in Yang's mind slithered out.
"You're mine."
